1708 Cellarius (2 results)

Excellent. Few specks in the paper, else a fine example. Beautiful hand color, heightened with gold. Size 17.25 x 20.75 Inches. This beautiful work is Andreas Cellarius' celestial chart, in its 1708 Valk and Schenk edition, illustrating the solar system theorized by Nicolaus Copernicus in the 16th century. It is among the most vivid and unambiguous depictions of the heliocentric solar system produced in the 17th century. A Closer Look The sun's rays emanate from the center of the chart, illuminating the Solar System. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn appear in their orbits around the Sun, within their celestial spheres. The moon is in its proper orbit around the Earth, which is depicted in a north polar projection. Jupiter is surrounded by its four Galilean moons: this is an important addition, as that astronomer's observations represented a key corroboration of Copernicus' heliocentric theories. Bordering the chart are the twelve signs of the Zodiac: each with its astrological symbol, its iconic image, and appropriate seasons. In the space surrounding the charts, below the cartouches, are presented an array of astronomical instruments and books, emphasizing the observed and measured nature of the chart. Seated in the lower right, globe in hand, is the astronomer Copernicus. The figure to the left is thought to be the Greek scholar Aristarchus of Samos (f. 250 BC), Copernicus' precursor in having proposed a heliocentric Solar System. One of Four Models Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica contained diagrams illustrating the conflicting models of the Solar System in play during the 17th century. It includes not only the most modern theories of the Solar System but also historical ones. A classical model of the Solar System identified each of the planets with its corresponding classical deity; another presented the 2nd-century model of Ptolemy. One (the present work) explained the Copernican Sun-centered system. The final is Tycho Brahe's compromise model. Publication History and Census This engraving was executed for Jan Jansson, who in 1660 first published Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica . Jansson produced two editions of the book in 1660 and 1661; distinguishable by the plate numbers engraved for the 1661 edition. Amsterdam publishers Gerard Valk and Pieter Schenk acquired the plates and republished Cellarius' work in 1708, having added their own imprint and privilege to the plates. Separate examples of Cellarius' charts appear on the market from time to time. We see eleven examples of this plate listed in OCLC, six of which correspond to this 1708 edition. References: OCLC 866805331.

Good. Mended tear at bottom, mended centerfold splits at top and bottom with no loss. Toned, original hand color. Size 17 x 20 Inches. This beautiful work is Andreas Cellarius' celestial chart, in its 1708 Valk and Schenk edition, illustrating the position of the Earth within the celestial sphere divided into its circles. Its lush, baroque presentation - filled with clouds, putti , and muses - frames a useful visual glossary illustrating terminology important both to the astronomer and to the geographer. Lavish Engraving This is among the most visually lively of Cellarius' celestial charts: surrounding the globe is a stylized armillary sphere, upon which are visible seven of the twelve signs of the Zodiac with their symbols: Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn. Framing the chart are sumptuously engraved clouds teeming with putti , many of whom brandish cross staves, geometer's compasses, and astrolabes (emphasizing the purpose of the chart). The muses of geography and astronomy are seated at the bottom left and right. (Geometria and Urania, respectively: the former bearing a compass and celestial chart, the latter crowned with stars and leaning on an armillary sphere.) A Closer Look Despite often being described as such, this is not a Ptolemaic model of the Universe. Specifically, the chart pictures the globe at the center of the celestial sphere, subdivided by circles describing different parts of the sky as observed from the ground. Concentric with the Earth's equator, this imaginary sphere is divided into northern and southern hemispheres by an equator; the sphere also possesses its own tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and its Arctic and Antarctic circles. The striking band sporting illustrations of the Zodiac is the zodiac: the region of the sky extending north and south of the ecliptic, embracing the apparent path of the sun across the celestial sphere. Dividing the Celestial Sphere Note first that the chart does not reflect, at all, on the actual form of the solar system. For example, there is no note here about the relationship of the Earth to the Sun, Moon, or Planets. It specifically illustrates the concept of the celestial sphere, and its primary divisions, or circles. This was a primary astronomical concept. The oldest branch of astronomy - spherical or positional astronomy - was based on the observation of the apparent movement of objects over time in relation to the Earth. The celestial sphere - an abstract sphere with the Earth at its center - was a conceptual tool that allowed astronomers to divide the sky into coordinates analogous to how geographers divided the globe (much of the terminology is the same). While positional astronomy had been applied to both religion and astrology in antiquity, it retained utility for both timekeeping and navigation. So Cellarius' chart was not a portrayal of an antiquated system of astronomical thought but rather described essential terms useful to any astronomer, whether they were applying them to the ancient astronomy of Ptolemy or to the modern models of Tycho Brahe or Copernicus. Cellarius' Harmonia Macrocosmica contained diagrams illustrating the conflicting models of the Solar system in play during the 17th century. The concept of the celestial sphere was relevant to the study of all of these. A State of the Art Depiction of the Globe The diagram surrounds a depiction of the globe which reflects the geographical knowledge that was current at the time the chart was engraved. The globe's position focuses on Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Ocean; to the west, the islands of the Indian Ocean are visible, as well as the Indian Peninsula; the imagined Terra Australis Incognita can be seen at the south pole. To the east - all but obscured in the globe's shadow - can be glimpsed the speculative Pacific coast of North America, including the island of California. Publication History and Census This engraving was executed by Johannes van Loon for.